I think you may be able to improve it with an oil-filter change w/ dino for 500 miles,
Then switch to syn / blend for another 1000 miles,
Then switch to Full Syn oil and see if this doesn't quiet the ticking.....
I say all the above for cost effectiveness & my customary logic. :D
At this point, if you're still not satisfied......go with the valve job.
Cold:
Intake valve clearance is .15-.25mm
Exhaust " " .25 - .35
Shims are available in 41 increments of 0.020mm from 2.00 mm to 2.80mm
New shim size (intake) = Old shim thickness + (measured valve clearance -0.2mm) -
New shim size (exhaust) = Old shim thickness + (measured valve clearance -0.3mm)
VGR,
I haven't answered your question because I'm not an engine guru , but
"wear" and "oil deposits" are my ideas of the cause.....